THE HUNT FOR A SNIPER: A KILLER'S PERSPECTIVE

THE HUNT FOR A SNIPER: A KILLER'S PERSPECTIVE; Son of Sam Killer Talks of Sniper

By KATE ZERNIKE

Published: October 22, 2002

The Son of Sam killer, David Berkowitz, who terrorized New York City in 1977, speculates that the sniper now spreading terror in the Washington area is under ''what many Christians would call 'a strong demonic bondage,' '' feels rage toward law enforcement and may be motivated by the new Hannibal Lecter movie.

He calls the sniper killings ''a terrible tragedy'' and expresses sorrow for ''those who are now suffering the loss of a loved one.''

Mr. Berkowitz, imprisoned at the maximum-security Sullivan Correctional Facility in upstate New York, made his comments in a three-page letter replying to a Fox News correspondent, Rita Cosby, who had written to him requesting his thoughts on the sniper. Ms. Cosby read excerpts from the reply in a telecast yesterday, and Fox News sent copies of it to other news organizations, promoting it as an exclusive.

Mr. Berkowitz wrote that he did not know whether there was one sniper or two, or whether the killings were the work of a ''psychopath'' or a terrorist. But he said he had been ''feeling this person's anger and rage toward law enforcement.''

He has been trying to figure out, he said, whether the shootings began around the time ''Red Dragon,'' the new movie about Hannibal Lecter, was released. In fact, the film was released nationwide on Oct. 4, two days after the first sniper victim was shot.

The letter noted that the series of Lecter films told the story of a killer who outsmarts the F.B.I. ''I've been wondering that, if this is a psychopathic person, if he has locked into this Hannibal character and is playing his role?'' Mr. Berkowitz wrote.

Ms. Cosby said in an interview that she was not concerned that asking Mr. Berkowitz to speak about the killings might bring him celebrity.

''I would have severe concerns if it was advancing the cause of the killer, but by no means does his letter do that,'' she said. ''He clearly condemns the actions.''

Mr. Berkowitz, now 49, was sentenced to more than 300 years in prison after pleading guilty in 1978 to killing six people and wounding seven. He was denied parole in July.